BRADENTON BEACH – Family and friends joyously celebrated the life and legacy of longtime Bradenton Beach resident and honorary Privateer Ellen Scott at the Drift In on Saturday, March 16. Ellen passed away on March 1 at the age of 85.
Ellen Scott made the lotto boards used during Drift In fundraisers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Ellen’s son, Bob Slicker, thanked those in attendance and encouraged everyone to be as giving to their community as Ellen was to hers. Holding a “Green Flash” shot provided to all by the Drift In, Ellen’s oldest granddaughter, Katie Clennan, proposed a toast in honor of her beloved grandmother. In honor of Ellen’s festive holiday spirit, and St. Patty’s Day being the following day, many attendees wore green clothing; and bagpiper Klaus Hinrichson performed traditional Irish songs.
Granddaughter Katie Clennan proposed a toast after her uncle, Bob Slicker, spoke about his late mom. – Joe Hendricks | SunBagpiper Klaus Hinrichson performed Irish songs. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On behalf of the Anna Maria Island Privateers, President MaryAnn “Maz” Zayla thanked Ellen for all the support and assistance she provided over the years during Privateers’ fundraisers. “She was the lotto board queen. She raised so much money for us. It was amazing,” Zayla said.
AMI Privateers’ President MaryAnn “Maz” Zayla thanked Ellen Scott. – Joe Hendricks | SunPrivateer Roger “Hoodat” Murphy recited a poem about the Green Flash and made a toast to Ellen Scott. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Privateer Roger “Hoodat” Murphree then recited a poem about the pirate lore of the green flash at sunset signifying a passing soul shooting to the sky. “It’s a rare event indeed, just as Ellen was a rare soul,” he said before raising his “Green Flash” shot and proposing another toast.
Laurie Weremecki sang a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace.” – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Laurie Weremecki then sang an emotionally moving rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
The celebration continued into late afternoon with a potluck-style buffet that included many homemade pies baked in honor of Ellen’s habit of baking pies for others, live music performed by Dos-Macs and several special guests.
Several pies were shared during Saturday’s celebration. – Joe Hendricks | SunBrian Slicker proposed a toast to his grandmother at Slicker’s Eatery. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On March 14, friends and family members gathered at Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez for a Tampa Bay Lightning watch party that celebrated “The Electric Life of Ellen Scott” with blue Jello shots, a toast by Ellen’s grandson, Brian Slicker, and the raffling off of Lightning souvenirs.
BRADENTON BEACH – Longtime Bradenton Beach and Pines Trailer Park resident Ellen Scott passed away at her home on Friday, March 1 at the age of 85.
Ellen was born in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 8, 1938, and spent many years living in Houghton Lake before moving to Anna Maria Island in 1994.
Ellen Scott was a beloved member of the Bradenton Beach and Cortez communities. – Slicker Family | Submitted
Ellen had three children, Bob Slicker, Bernie Slicker and Cindy Slicker, and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and other family members who loved her dearly. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a lifetime of charitable deeds that included making lotto boards and selling raffle tickets at charity fundraisers and baking homemade pies for bake sales and those she knew and loved.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held Saturday, March 16 at the Drift In in Bradenton Beach – a stone’s throw from the mobile home park in which she was believed to be the longest-tenured resident.
Beginning at 1 p.m., the celebration will include a bagpiper, a vocal performance of “Amazing Grace” by Laurie Weremecki, a toast to Ellen at 1:30 p.m. and live music by Dos Macs. Attendees are invited to bring a covered dish to share and some are bringing pies baked in Ellen’s pie pans.
Ellen loved the Tampa Bay Rays, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. On Thursday, March 14, folks are invited to gather at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., at 6:30 p.m. for a special toast honoring “The Electric Life of Ellen Scott,” followed by a Lightning watch party at 7 p.m. Family and friends will gather the following day for a private memorial service.
MEMORIES AND LIFE LESSONS
Ellen spent her final days at home being cared for by family members and Hospice. Her son, Bob, was by her side when she died.
“At the end, it was her and I, and I played the song ‘Thank you,’ by Ben Rector as she passed. She made a stance against cancer. She started feeling sick in October and was diagnosed around the first of the year. Once we found out, we decided to make every day like her birthday.
Corbin, Rowan, Brian and Bob Slicker joined Ellen Scott at a recent Lightning game. – Slicker Family | Submitted
“On Feb. 19, we went to a Lightning game and the Lightning let her start the game by pulling the Tesla coil. They put her on the big screen a couple times and gave her a puck signed by her favorite player, Andrei Vasilevskiy. After the game, they took us down to the tunnel where the players come out after they shower. We met the players and took pictures with Steven Stamkos, Brandon Hagel and Austin Watson. On Feb. 25, she played her last hand of bar poker at the Drift In, and she insisted on walking there and back,” Bob said.
Lightning star Steven Stamkos posed for a photo with Ellen Scott. – Slicker Family | Submitted
When asked what he’ll miss most, Bob said, “How she loved. How she took anything bad that happened and just plowed right through it. She never dwelled on the negative.”
As for what he learned from his mom, Bob said, “Fortitude. Being able to forge through anything. My mom’s mom passed away when she was 6 years old. She became a ward of the state and she and her three sisters grew up in separate foster homes. She was a lead sales rep for an insurance company in Michigan and a successful florist too.”
In 1994, Bob encouraged Ellen to move to Florida. She lived in Anna Maria for two years and then spent two years living with an aunt in Bradenton Beach before moving into the Pines Trailer Park 26 years ago.
“My mom had 17 pie pans at her house. We passed them out to people in the park and they’ll be bringing pies Saturday,” Bob said. “When the hearse came and got my mother everybody came out and lined the streets. Two nights later, they did a toast on her porch. It’s such a wonderful neighborhood.”
Regarding Ellen’s charitable efforts at the Drift In and elsewhere, Bob said, “Even if you didn’t know my mom, you probably bought a raffle ticket from her.”
In closing, Bob said, “We were fortunate that we spent a lot of time together at the end. All her grandkids made it down to see her and attend an event with her before she passed. I’m blessed to have had a relationship with my mother that few ever get to have. She left our family a tremendous legacy.”
Ellen’s son, Bernie Slicker, said, “My mom lived the fullest life anybody could wish for. She loved the people in the Pines, the Drift In and the AMI Moose Lodge. She always dressed for the occasion. She wore green on St. Patty’s Day, white and red on Christmas and Easter colors for Easter.”
When asked what he’ll miss most, Bernie jokingly said, “Her pies. She made apple, blueberry, peach, cherry, and my favorite, lemon meringue.”
“There’s no pie like Grandma’s apple pie,” Bernie’s son, Mike, said.
“She taught me to live life every day and to be happy to be alive,” Bernie said.
“And never let the little things keep you down,” Mike added. “She chose her paradise and she lived until she died in her paradise.”
Ellen’s daughter, Cindy Slicker, lives in Tennessee but visits often. Speaking by phone while cleaning out her mom’s mobile home, Cindy said, “She’s still teaching me about life as I’m going through her stuff. She was selfless. She was an exceptional mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She’s got four beautiful granddaughters from me and she taught me how to be a good mother. She was very encouraging and an exceptionally unique woman. She had good energy, was a go-getter and she’d get it done. Mom had three sisters and she’s the last to go. Her last statement to me was, ‘My sisters are waiting for me, I gotta get up there.’ ”
Ellen Scott and Molly (Slicker) Parry had a close and loving relationship. – Molly Parry | Submitted
Ellen’s granddaughter, Molly Parry (Bob’s daughter), said, “She was small in stature but she unapologetically took up space. She was feisty, honest and fiercely loyal. Her life was never easy but she always persevered. She was not to be underestimated and she was down for anything. She loved sports and never left a game early, no matter how badly her team was losing. She never missed a single one of my many events and her pride was unconditional.”
Ellen’s grandson, Brian Slicker (Bernie’s son), said, “I’m going to miss everything about her. She went to every one of my sons’ baseball games. She’d stay from 4:30 in the afternoon until 9 o’clock and she always brought goodies for all the kids.
Ellen Scott joined several family members at a Lightning game in February. – Slicker Family | Submitted
“We’d watch Lightning games together as a family at Slicker’s Eatery and go to games when we could. We went to the Lightning game before she started her downward spiral. She had the opportunity to do the Tesla coil and she brought our sons, Rowan and Corbin, up there with her. It was one of the coolest things ever. She was all about the grandkids and great-grandkids. She never missed anybody’s anything.” Brian said.
“She was one of the most charitable people I’ve ever known. If there was a fundraiser, she’d jump in to help. She did so much for the (Anna Maria Island) Privateers that they made her an honorary Privateer last year. In the trailer park, she helped organize events and create a sense of community there.
Regarding the pies, Brian said, “I’ve never seen a person with so many pie trays. She probably had 20 glass Pyrex pie dishes in her cabinet. I took two of them and I’m going to make a couple pies for the celebration.
Long ago, Ellen Scott, left, was integral part of the Tip-Up Town winter festival that’s still an annual event in Houghton, Michigan. – Submitted
“She was one of the most fun people ever. When I was a kid, living in Michigan, they used to have the Tip-Up Town festival on the ice in Houghton Lake. She dressed up and they called her ‘Laser Beam Ellen.’ You never knew anything was wrong with my grandma. She always saw the light and the positive side of life and she made other people happy. She was an icon. She had a great life,” Brian said.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said, “Ellen was my go-to lady. She and Dort Davis helped get the champagne ready on New Year’s Eve. Ellen made all the lotto boards for our Privateers’ fundraisers and she helped The Renegades assist local families at Christmas. She was always the first to volunteer. She was such a big part of the Drift In, and my own life, and I’ll miss her dearly.”
Ellen Scott became an honorary Privateer in 2023. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Privateer John ‘Lil’ John Arr’ Rutherford said, “Ellen was tremendously helpful during the Privateers’ fundraisers and in recognition of her support we made her an honorary Privateer in 2023. She will be missed.”
Drift In patron and seasonal Pines Park resident ‘Mark the Park’ said, “Ellen was a lovely lady. She made us apple pies and blueberry pies. Last night, I was walking home and I did what I’ve done for the last 10 years: I said ‘Goodnight Ellen, I love you,’ as I walked by her trailer. I knew she wasn’t there, but I didn’t know her daughter was there. Cindy approached me this morning and thanked me.”
BRADENTON BEACH – Ellen Scott is now an honorary member of the Anna Maria Island Privateers.
The Privateers surprised Scott with the honor during a March 15 fundraiser at the Drift In. The Privateers frequently partner with the Drift In to raise funds for the scholarships they award to local students and the Christmas gifts they provide to underprivileged families. The proceeds from this event were donated to the Privateers themselves as part of the “Raise The Skullywag” fundraising campaign for repairs and upgrades needed for their pirate ship-themed parade vehicle.
As she does during all Privateers’ fundraisers at the Drift In, Scott spent the evening urging patrons to purchase raffle tickets for the lotto board that contained $300 worth of scratch-off lottery tickets and a $100 bill. The raffle also included a liquor-filled gift basket valued at $300 to be given to some lucky ticket holder.
“Every time we do an event here, Ellen insists on creating the lotto board. I bring her the tickets and she arranges it, laminates it and then sells the hell out of those tickets,” Privateer John “Lil John Arr” Rutherford said.
Honorary Privateer memberships are bestowed upon community members who go above and beyond in their ef- forts to assist the Privateers.
“It doesn’t make them an official member, just an honorary member,” Rutherford said.
He noted Drift In manager Doreen Flynn is also an honorary Privateer.
“Ellen’s always there to help the Privateers,” Flynn said. “She’s a fantastic lady and she’s been doing this for more than 20 years.”
Flynn said that Drift In patron and retired BeachHouse restaurant chef Donald White is also an honorary Privateer. Several of Scott’s family members attended the fundraising event but she didn’t know they were there to see her honored.
Her son, Bob Slicker, said, “Since I was a child, my mom has always been involved in something to help someone else. She’s a true inspiration.”
Her grandson, Brian Slicker, said, “When I was young and living in Michigan, I got involved in charitable drives because of her. She taught me to help others.”
When presenting Scott with her honorary membership plaque, Privateer Kim “Syren” Boyd mentioned the lotto board and said, “Miss Ellen has been instrumental in helping us do this and we cannot think of a better way to thank her than to make her an honorary Privateer.”
Boyd then read aloud the plaque inscription: “This is to certify that Ellen Scott is held in such high esteem by this organization because of her overwhelming support and generosity to our krewe and to our mission, ‘Pirates for kids and community,’ that the membership and krewe has elected to confer upon her the privilege of honorary membership.”
Drift In owner Derek Williams then presented the Privateers with a $500 check for their “Raise The Skullywag” campaign and Drift In employee John “Baitman” Maguire donated an addi- tional $100.
Drift In owner Derek Williams presented Privateer Kim “Syren” Boyd with a $500 check. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When discussing her honorary membership, Scott said, “It made me cry. It’s a great honor. I do it because I love the Privateers and I love who they help and what they work for, scholarships for kids and helping families have Christmas.”
Later that evening, the winning raffle ticket was pulled and Massachusetts resident and seasonal Flori- da resident Raye Young won the liquor basket and the lotto board that produced for her $98 in additional lottery ticket winnings.
Lotto board winner Raye Young was joined by Privateers John “Lil John Arr” Rutherford, Carmela Odriscoll, Kim “Syren” Boyd and Adam “Duck” Cross. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
According to Rutherford, Scott generated $2,126 in raffle ticket sales that night and the Privateers received an additional $850 in cash donations, bringing their “Raise the Skullywag” fundraising total to $5,001 at the time.
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